Marko: Hamilton's debut shows Hadjar can succeed at Red Bull in 2026

Helmut Marko believes Isack Hadjar's impressive rookie season with Racing Bulls means he is ready for the pressure of partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull in 2026, drawing a direct comparison to Lewis Hamilton's immediate impact as a rookie with McLaren in 2007.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's decision to promote Hadjar over more experienced options like Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson signals a major bet on raw talent and rapid development. With a history of teammates struggling alongside Verstappen, Hadjar's ability to adapt and contribute will be critical for the team's constructor championship ambitions and for providing a consistent benchmark.

The details:

• The Hamilton Benchmark: In defending the promotion, Marko pointed to Lewis Hamilton's debut, arguing that stepping directly into a top team without prior F1 experience is not an insurmountable barrier to success.
• The Deciding Moment: Marko identified Hadjar's maiden podium finish at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix as the pivotal moment that cemented his potential for the senior team. Internal discussions about the promotion reportedly began at that race.
• Areas for Growth: While praising his talent, Marko noted Hadjar needs to better control his emotions—a common point of development for young drivers. He also pointed to instances of bad luck and strategy calls that masked Hadjar's true performance level this season.
• Team Consensus: The promotion required alignment from Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff and team boss Laurent Mekies, who was particularly impressed by Hadjar's self-awareness and capacity for in-season development.

The big picture:

Hadjar's promotion continues Red Bull's philosophy of fast-tracking junior talent, but it comes with immense pressure. The last driver to successfully partner Verstappen long-term was Sergio Perez, and even he eventually struggled with car development. Hadjar's task is not just to be fast, but to help steer the car's direction from the outset to avoid being left behind as the RB22 evolves.

What's next:

All eyes will be on Hadjar's adaptation to the top team. He has expressed confidence in his ability to adjust to the new car and aims to actively contribute to its development path alongside Verstappen. His performance will be a key storyline of the 2026 season, testing whether Red Bull's faith in a sophomore driver can break the cycle of challenging teammate pairings for the reigning champion.